Albanyhttp://wrvo.org
enComptroller DiNapoli says he'll stick with his job in 2018http://wrvo.org/post/comptroller-dinapoli-says-hell-stick-his-job-2018
<p>State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says he has no interest in challenging Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a primary in three years, saying he prefers to seek re-election as comptroller.</p><p>DiNapoli, a favorite among many state Democrats (especially in the party’s left-leaning base), says he has no interest in running in a primary against Cuomo. The state comptroller says he intends to seek another term in his current post and says he’s set up a campaign committee for the comptroller’s slot for 2018.</p><p>“I happen to love this job,” DiNapoli says. “I think it’s the best job in state government.”</p>Fri, 31 Jul 2015 17:58:16 +0000Karen DeWitt75987 at http://wrvo.orgComptroller DiNapoli says he'll stick with his job in 2018Critics say rebate checks won't really cut taxeshttp://wrvo.org/post/critics-say-rebate-checks-wont-really-cut-taxes
<p></p><p>When Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders announced a new rebate check for property taxpayers, they touted it as a significant, “real” benefit to average homeowners. But fiscal watchdog groups say the program is severely flawed and the money could be better used on something else.</p><p>Wed, 01 Jul 2015 07:43:00 +0000Karen DeWitt74599 at http://wrvo.orgCritics say rebate checks won't really cut taxesAG Schneiderman brings his call for ethics reform around the statehttp://wrvo.org/post/ag-schneiderman-brings-his-call-ethics-reform-around-state
<p>New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says in a legislative session in which the leaders of the state Assembly and Senate are both indicted on corruption charges, the need for ethics reform in Albany is shockingly clear.</p><p>Speaking in Rochester -- one of several stops -- Schneiderman outlined his "End New York Corruption Now Act," which he says has three main goals: end the pernicious effect of outside money in politics and government; ensure every act of corruption is met with a swift, serious response; and encourage more honorable people to pursue public service.</p>Tue, 02 Jun 2015 07:56:00 +0000Alex Crichton73257 at http://wrvo.orgAG Schneiderman brings his call for ethics reform around the stateNYS Senator John DeFrancisco on the Campbell Conversationshttp://wrvo.org/post/nys-senator-john-defrancisco-campbell-conversations
<p>State Sen. John DeFrancisco is Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and was involved in the leadership battle in the Senate when former leader Dean Skelos resigned as Majority Leader after being arrested on federal corruption charges. DeFrancisco ultimately lost the leadership role to Long Island Sen. John Flanagan. On this episode of the Campbell Conversations, DeFrancisco speaks with host Grant Reeher about this year's state budget and legislative agenda, the current state of affairs in Albany, the issue of upstate versus downstate, and more.&nbsp;</p><p></p>Sun, 31 May 2015 22:05:28 +0000Grant Reeher73711 at http://wrvo.orgNYS Senator John DeFrancisco on the Campbell ConversationsFormer Senate Leader Skelos formally indicted on corruption chargeshttp://wrvo.org/post/former-senate-leader-skelos-formally-indicted-corruption-charges
<p></p><p>The former leader of the state Senate was formally indicted on federal corruption charges Thursday. Sen. Dean Skelos resigned as leader earlier in May after the accusations against him were announced by the U.S. attorney.</p><p>Fri, 29 May 2015 04:48:00 +0000Karen DeWitt73115 at http://wrvo.orgFormer Senate Leader Skelos formally indicted on corruption chargesIs New York's property tax cap sustainable for long term?http://wrvo.org/post/new-yorks-property-tax-cap-sustainable-long-term
<p></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">The future of the state’s property tax cap is one of the big items on the docket as state lawmakers head back to Albany to finish up the current session. Supporters of the tax cap, including business groups, Republicans in the state Senate and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, are pushing to make the tax cap permanent.&nbsp;</span></p>Tue, 26 May 2015 18:12:35 +0000Ellen Abbott72998 at http://wrvo.orgIs New York's property tax cap sustainable for long term?Cuomo plans to bypass state Senate to increase minimum wage for fast food workershttp://wrvo.org/post/cuomo-plans-bypass-state-senate-increase-minimum-wage-fast-food-workers
<p>Gov. Andrew Cuomo, at a large union rally in New York City’s Union Square to raise the minimum wage, called out fast food chains McDonalds and Burger King by name and accused them of corporate greed for under-paying workers.</p><p>Cuomo, in an animated speech, says fast food chains make huge profits while relying on taxpayers subsidies, like food stamps, to make up for the low pay they give their workers.</p><p>The governor says he’ll bypass the legislature and create a state board to examine increasing the state's minimum wage for fast food workers.</p>Fri, 08 May 2015 08:50:00 +0000Karen DeWitt72195 at http://wrvo.orgCuomo plans to bypass state Senate to increase minimum wage for fast food workersPressure grows to drop some items from the state budgethttp://wrvo.org/post/pressure-grows-drop-some-items-state-budget
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">With just over a week until the state budget is due, there’s pressure to drop a number of unrelated items in </span>Gov<span style="line-height: 1.5;">. Andrew Cuomo’s state spending plan.</span></p><p>Cuomo has tied ethics reform and education policy changes to the budget, and threatened to hold up the spending plan if the legislature does not agree.&nbsp;</p>Tue, 24 Mar 2015 07:05:00 +0000Karen DeWitt70070 at http://wrvo.orgPressure grows to drop some items from the state budgetReformers say Cuomo's ethics proposals don't go far enoughhttp://wrvo.org/post/reformers-say-cuomos-ethics-proposals-dont-go-far-enough
<p></p><p>Gov<span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">. Andrew Cuomo has outlined his plan for greater transparency of state lawmakers’ outside income, and has made it part of his budget proposal. Good government groups say they wish he had gone farther.</span></p>Tue, 24 Feb 2015 11:37:12 +0000Karen DeWitt68812 at http://wrvo.orgReformers say Cuomo's ethics proposals don't go far enoughKaren DeWitt on the Campbell Conversationshttp://wrvo.org/post/karen-dewitt-campbell-conversations
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who has held that position for the last 20 years, was arrested recently and charged with several counts of corruption. He's also accused of taking more that $4 million in kickbacks. </span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">After several days of closed door meetings, Silver agreed to step down from his position as Speaker. An election will happen soon in the Assembly to choose a new Speaker, but what happens then. </span></p>Sun, 01 Feb 2015 21:59:00 +0000Grant Reeher67690 at http://wrvo.orgKaren DeWitt on the Campbell ConversationsPreview: WRVO's capitol correspondent on downstate corruption, the governor and morehttp://wrvo.org/post/preview-wrvos-capitol-correspondent-downstate-corruption-governor-and-more
<p>Lawmakers in Albany are trying to get back to work on the state budget after last week's arrest of state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who was charged with four counts of corruption and accused of taking more than $4 million in kickbacks. This week on The Campbell Conversations, Grant Reeher speaks with WRVO's Capitol Correspondent Karen DeWitt. Here's some of what you can expect this Sunday at 6 p.m. on the program.</p><p>Sat, 31 Jan 2015 12:45:00 +0000Grant Reeher67703 at http://wrvo.orgPreview: WRVO's capitol correspondent on downstate corruption, the governor and moreTurmoil in Assembly leads to calls for reformhttp://wrvo.org/post/turmoil-assembly-leads-calls-reform
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Maneuvering for the next speaker of the state Assembly is going on largely behind the scenes and government reform groups say that’s the wrong way to begin a new era in what’s been called the people’s house. They’ve asked the announced candidates to commit to an open process, and want an answer before the weekend.</span></p>Fri, 30 Jan 2015 10:32:00 +0000Karen DeWitt67643 at http://wrvo.orgTurmoil in Assembly leads to calls for reformAssembly back to budget hearings, campaigning to replace Silverhttp://wrvo.org/post/assembly-back-budget-hearings-campaigning-replace-silver
<p></p><p>The legislature continued about its business in Albany <span data-term="goog_1615335981" tabindex="0">Wednesday</span>, despite the leadership crisis in the Assembly. Lawmakers held the first in a series of public budget hearings. Meanwhile, several Assembly members officially declared their candidacy to succeed Speaker Sheldon Silver, who will leave the office <span data-term="goog_1615335982" tabindex="0">on Monday</span>.</p>Thu, 29 Jan 2015 10:13:00 +0000Karen DeWitt67590 at http://wrvo.orgAssembly back to budget hearings, campaigning to replace SilverReform group says NY Times report is evidence Albany needs more anti-corruption lawshttp://wrvo.org/post/reform-group-says-ny-times-report-evidence-albany-needs-more-anti-corruption-laws
<p></p><p>The <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/08/nyregion/after-moreland-commission-shutdown-by-gov-cuomo-loopholes-live-on-in-albany.html?_r=0">New York Times is reporting</a> that federal investigators are probing outside income paid to the New York state Assembly speaker, among other lawmakers. A reform group says the article is one more reason Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the legislature should adopt long overdue ethical changes.<br /><br />Susan Lerner, with Common Cause, says legislators are finding that if they don’t change their policies they are increasingly finding themselves in the crosshairs of federal prosecutors. She says her group hopes to convince them to do so.</p><p><br /><br />Tue, 09 Dec 2014 11:42:48 +0000Karen DeWitt65361 at http://wrvo.orgReform group says NY Times report is evidence Albany needs more anti-corruption lawsAlbany police and community meet in wake of Michael Brown, Eric Garner decisionshttp://wrvo.org/post/albany-police-and-community-meet-wake-michael-brown-eric-garner-decisions
<div class="audio-caption"><p></p>Fri, 05 Dec 2014 11:13:06 +0000Jenna Flanagan65190 at http://wrvo.orgAlbany police and community meet in wake of Michael Brown, Eric Garner decisionsPreservation League announces new plans for old buildingshttp://wrvo.org/post/preservation-league-announces-new-plans-old-buildings
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Everything old is new again, so the saying goes. With that in mind, the Preservation League of New York State announced a plan to </span>repurpose<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> five vacant industrial buildings in the Capital region with the hopes of attracting young professionals and revitalizing communities.</span></p><p>The Industrial Heritage Reuse Project, or "trendy hipster bait," launched on Thursday in hopes of breathing new live into old buildings.</p>Tue, 22 Jul 2014 10:24:18 +0000Jenna Flanagan59063 at http://wrvo.orgPreservation League announces new plans for old buildingsAlbany budget deal provides little information to the publichttp://wrvo.org/post/albany-budget-deal-provides-little-information-public
<p></p>Thu, 27 Mar 2014 13:24:12 +0000Karen DeWitt53343 at http://wrvo.orgFBI investigating alleged corruption in state Assembly, Senatehttp://wrvo.org/post/fbi-investigating-alleged-corruption-state-assembly-senate
<p></p>Thu, 27 Mar 2014 12:25:36 +0000Karen DeWitt53342 at http://wrvo.orgMore fracking pro and con as the battle rages onhttp://wrvo.org/post/more-fracking-pro-and-con-battle-rages
<p></p><p>The future of hydraulic fracturing in New York has been in limbo since the Department of Environmental Conservation began a review of the practice in 2008. Now, six public hearings are being held across New York to receive public comment on the draft State Energy Plan, with one of them in Albany.&nbsp; Environmental groups were at the Capitol Tuesday calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to put renewable energy ahead of fossil fuels in his effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.</p>Wed, 19 Feb 2014 13:03:49 +0000Dave Lucas51572 at http://wrvo.orgMore fracking pro and con as the battle rages onGovernor announces $4.5 million to boost winter tourism upstate http://wrvo.org/post/governor-announces-45-million-boost-winter-tourism-upstate
<p>Governor Andrew Cuomo visited a newly expanded snowmobiler lounge in Lowville Monday to unveil a new ad campaign to promote winter tourism upstate. Cuomo says there’s new energy in the north country, thanks to increasing economic investment. He credits the efforts of both the region and his administration in making that happen. &nbsp;</p>Tue, 31 Dec 2013 10:30:00 +0000Joanna Richards49265 at http://wrvo.orgGovernor announces $4.5 million to boost winter tourism upstate Anti-gambling advocates destroy slot machine during protest at State Capitolhttp://wrvo.org/post/anti-gambling-advocates-destroy-slot-machine-during-protest-state-capitol
<p></p><p>Anti-gambling activists took a sledgehammer to a slot machine in front of the New York State Capitol to demonstrate their opposition to a ballot amendment to legalize gambling casinos in New York state. <span>&nbsp;</span></p><p>Wielding a sledgehammer, anti-gambling advocates took turns smashing up a Lucky 7 slot machine, at a park with the New York State Capitol in the<span> </span>background, as TV news cameras recorded the event.</p><p>David Blankenhorn, with the Institute for American Values, organized the event.</p>Wed, 16 Oct 2013 10:55:00 +0000Karen DeWitt45681 at http://wrvo.orgAnti-gambling advocates destroy slot machine during protest at State CapitolCoalition promotes casino amendment, as judge set to hear lawsuithttp://wrvo.org/post/coalition-promotes-casino-amendment-judge-set-hear-lawsuit
<p></p><p>The push for passage of a ballot amendment to allow up to seven new gambling casinos in New York has begun. A coalition of business leaders, labor unions, and local elected officials are holding press conferences across the state. They expect to run some TV ads, as well.</p><p>The name of the coalition says nothing about gambling casinos -- instead it&rsquo;s called New York Jobs Now. Business Council President Heather Briccetti said the new resort-style casinos proposed will bring employment to economically depressed areas.</p>Fri, 11 Oct 2013 10:46:12 +0000Karen DeWitt45475 at http://wrvo.orgNorth Country farmers tell lawmakers regs too big a burdenhttp://wrvo.org/post/north-country-farmers-tell-lawmakers-regs-too-big-burden
<p></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Farmers and agricultural industry leaders in the North Country had the ears of state lawmakers yesterday in Watertown. The forum, hosted by State Senator Patty Ritchie, was one of 10 being held throughout the state on the topic of regulatory reform in a variety of industries.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Fri, 20 Sep 2013 04:09:50 +0000Joanna Richards44432 at http://wrvo.orgNorth Country farmers tell lawmakers regs too big a burdenNewly formed coalition takes aim at politicians who supported gun controlhttp://wrvo.org/post/newly-formed-coalition-takes-aim-politicians-who-supported-gun-control
<p>A coalition of gun rights advocates and others are forming a new political movement to get what they say are disaffected and disenfranchised New Yorkers to vote.<p><br>The leaders of the new group include the state’s Rifle and Pistol Association, but the group’s president, Tom King, says it goes beyond the state’s recently enacted stiff new gun control legislation.<br><br>“It’s the whole spectrum of constitutional rights that are being infringed in New York state,” King said. “This is for the everyday person who feels disenfranchised.”<br>Thu, 11 Jul 2013 12:54:30 +0000Karen DeWitt40898 at http://wrvo.orgGov. Cuomo cracks down on new drivers texting behind the wheelhttp://wrvo.org/post/gov-cuomo-cracks-down-new-drivers-texting-behind-wheel
<p></p>Tue, 02 Jul 2013 13:02:55 +0000Karen DeWitt40437 at http://wrvo.orgDueling filmmakers dispute over fracking in Albanyhttp://wrvo.org/post/dueling-filmmakers-dispute-over-fracking-albany
<p>As they await Gov. Andrew Cuomo's decision on whether fracking will go forward in New York, dueling pro- and anti-fracking filmmakers held screenings and promotions for their films in Albany. At one point in their visit, the two sides confronted each other in the halls of the Capitol.Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:15:27 +0000Karen DeWitt33236 at http://wrvo.orgAttendance at annual gun show up; organizers cite recent gun control lawshttp://wrvo.org/post/attendance-annual-gun-show-organizers-cite-recent-gun-control-laws
<p>Organizers of an annual gun show in Albany say they are seeing bigger crowds this year, due to the recent changes to New York's gun control laws and potential changes at the federal level.Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:35:45 +0000Marie Cusick32477 at http://wrvo.org"People's State of the State" calls for raising minimum wagehttp://wrvo.org/post/peoples-state-state-calls-raising-minimum-wage
<p>In anticipation of the annual State of the State address, a coalition of progressive groups held their 23rd annual People's State of the State on the steps of the Capitol in Albany.Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:11:25 +0000Marie Cusick31632 at http://wrvo.org"People's State of the State" calls for raising minimum wageNY's food pantries say hunger is growinghttp://wrvo.org/post/nys-food-pantries-say-hunger-growing
<p>Food pantries and soup kitchens say they are reluctantly becoming a permanent part of the nation’s safety net for the poor. In a new report on New York’s charitable food distribution system, the groups say it is government that needs to step in and lend a helping hand.Mon, 31 Dec 2012 10:43:56 +0000Karen DeWitt31225 at http://wrvo.orgAmtrak to take over new tracks in Albany areahttp://wrvo.org/post/amtrak-take-over-new-tracks-albany-area
<p>The Northeast rail corridor will see shorter travel times and be more reliable. Through a new 25-year lease, Amtrak has taken control of a busy stretch of track leading to the capital region.Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:15:39 +0000Kate O'Connell30427 at http://wrvo.org